Just a couple of facts about CW. It takes only a S/N ratio of 3:1 to get a CW signal through, it takes 7:1 to get SSB through. If you chase DX, work contests, Etc, by not using CW you are missing a lot of contacts. CW use is actually on the rise. Check out the ARRL stats on the contest contacts. Also check the stats on clubs like SKCC, FISTS, NAQCC, Etc. Their membership is on the rise. The manufactures of radios IE Yaesu, ICOM, Kenwood are still making CW a priority in their designs. If CW was dead or dying, do you think those companies would still be making such an effort? CW only Kits are more popular than ever, look at Elecraft and other smaller companies who make them. Reallocating the CW bands IMHO is a very bad idea, and I would argue against reducing the CW part of the spectrum.I operate SSB and PSK31 too. On any given weekend with out a major contest going on I actually find it easier to make contacts on CW than on other modes. If you are into QRP operation, than CW should be your choice of modes. As I mentioned earlier you can hear a CW signal, and be heard much easier than with SSB. Anyhow, off my soap box now. I don't want to reduce anyone's enjoyment of this great hobby. I hope and wish everyone felt the same way.

b) "More modern types of communication" Like SSB -- about fifty years old, and unchanged in that time ?

A small historical point...SSB is much more than 50 years old.

The theoretical basis for SSB was stated in the 19-teens, and was first used for a wired telephone carrier system more than 85 years ago.

The first use of SSB on radio was for the transatlantic telephone, on LF (55 kHz IIRC). Went into commercial operation in the late 1920s, more than 80 years ago.

The first use of SSB by hams was in the early 1930s, more than 75 years ago. (W6DEI and a few others).

SSB as a popular mode with hams got its start in the late 1940s, due to simplified ways of generating a signal (Dome's phasing networks and crystal/mechanical filters), post-WW2 prosperity, and WW2 surplus parts. That's more than 60 years ago.

Contrary to belief, CW is increasing in popularity, not decreasing as you think it to be. The bandplans ought to be left alone. There is already enough encroachment on the CW portions, and if those portions were to be reduced, the encroachment would move into the lessened spaces even faster than now. On the other hand, CW is not restricted to the bandplan space alloted to it, it can be used just about anywhere in the bands. Only the fact that most CW operators are more gentlemenly than other operators prevent that from happening--but sadly, that is also changing.

Lets not roil the waters and get others upset, shall we? In other words, if it isn't broken, don't try to fix it.

Actually, what we like to call the "CW portion" is actually CW/Digital so it is already shared by CW, RTTY, PSK31, MFSK, MT63, Packet, Pactor, and Amtor, among others. SSB ops however basically only share with AM, and slow scan.

N3QE, I'm sorry you apparently have received one or more OO cards about operating CW on or about 7035 on 40m. You simply should have not have received that card(s) because you violated no FCC rule I know of.

The primary assumption made by the original poster that implied that CW is less popular now and therefore needs less spectrum is based on a faulty assumption. After being on the ham bands for 41 years, I can tell you the amount of CW on the air now is as much as ever, maybe a little more. CW has already been squeezed quite a bit -- thanks to a much smaller 80 meter CW band and a growing amount of HF digital modes and activity.

Thanks to the so-called novice refarming, where the former novice bands on 80, 40, 15 and 10 meters went away, I can tell you that the amateur population, in general, and the FCC specifically have not done a good job of reclaiming that spectrum for typical ham operation. The 80 meter novice band just went away period. The segment from 7100 to 7125 on 40 meters is lightly populated by U.S. stations. There are 50 khz of space on 20 meters largely wasted by U.S. from 14100 to 14150. I know, I know. Historically, the U.S. has tried to preserve that slice of spectrum for foreign phone operators. The rationale was many had modest stations and they needed a spot on 20 meters where they could "get away" from the strong U.S signals. Friends, those days are past. Many hams in other nations have stations as good as or often better than those found in the U.S. They don't need protection from U.S. any longer. Nothing against DX stations at all. But in most nations, they have far fewer amateurs than we have and the numbers dictate that we in the U.S. should do a better job of utilizing the spectrum we have.

Ditto on 15 meters where 21100 to 21200 is largely wasted by American stations. And look at the vast portions of 10 meters than are under-utilized also.

The original poster talked about squeezing CW stations into smaller and smaller segments. If you want more space for HF SSB and digital, talk to your ARRL director and get the League to support getting into discussions with the FCC about making better use of lightly used parts of 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters. There's plenty of spectrum there to support more SSB and digital. Ditto for six meters too.

N3QE, I'm sorry you apparently have received one or more OO cards about operating CW on or about 7035 on 40m. You simply should have not have received that card(s) because you violated no FCC rule I know of.

In retrospect I am 99% sure I was QRMing some semi-rare DX that was on PSK31 7035. Mostly my ignorance of PSK31. Partly me operating my Eico 720 with one of my handful of 40 meter crystals.

I think the OO's are justified in trying to point out in a friendly way (and truly they try to be friendly) that modes or activities are stepping on each other. A postcard from the OO is appreciated more than long-term animosity between operating hams who unintentionally did step on each other.

I do admit that it is easy to for me as a CW op, to just mentally "tune out" the PSK31. I spent my youth on 40M ignoring nearby carriers from Euro SW broadcasters.

Which brings us to something you write and I key on, that may be even more important than just PSK31 and CW ops stepping on each other (I snip a little to arrive at the part about 40M, my favorite band):

Quote

Thanks to the so-called novice refarming, where the former novice bands on 80, 40, 15 and 10 meters went away, I can tell you that the amateur population, in general, and the FCC specifically have not done a good job of reclaiming that spectrum for typical ham operation. ... The segment from 7100 to 7125 on 40 meters is lightly populated by U.S. stations ...

IMHO the issue on 40M and the poor use of reclaiming spectrum: It's not just that it was the former novice band. It's more that it used to be thick with Euro SW broadcasters. They're gone and that's a good thing. (Although pirate SW broadcasters still seem to show up. Grrr!!!!) But it's not so good that hams are not actively using the space they used to occupy so persistently and obnoxiously. 40 Meters has never been a "local" band to me, it's always been the band that long haul worldwide DX is always interesting on. The IARU and other organizations etc need to stop treating it in band plans as a "local allocation plan" band and treat it in a truly global allocation plan.

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